At UNILAB Vision, we had the great excitement of hosting the "Bioentrepreneurship Conference" at the BIOEXPO Life Sciences Fairs. This event brought together professionals, academics, and entrepreneurship enthusiasts working in biotechnology, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and R&D. Participants engaged in discussions on key topics shaping the future of the industry and listened to inspiring talks from top experts in the field.
Our R&D Coordinator Zafer İşdar’s Talk: “From Research to Development: From Academia to Industry”
Our R&D Coordinator, Zafer İşdar, delivered a presentation titled “From Research to Development: From Academia to Industry,” where he examined in detail the transformation of academic research into commercial products. İşdar discussed the steps necessary for integrating academic innovations in biotechnology into the industry, offering insights on how to make this transformation faster and more efficient.
He emphasized the critical role of university-industry collaboration in the development of biotechnological innovations and products. Highlighting that academic research should not remain at the theoretical level, he presented key strategies for translating research into sectoral applications. He also pointed out the potential benefits of researchers and industry players working together to transform scientific findings into commercial opportunities.
In his talk, İşdar underlined the importance of effective communication and shared resource usage between academia and industry stakeholders to accelerate progress in biotechnology. He further stated that specific policies should be developed to strengthen these collaborations. İşdar also noted that such partnerships would not only yield new products but also new business models and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Onur Yolay’s Talk: “Bioentrepreneurship and the Turkish Ecosystem”
In his presentation on bioentrepreneurship and the biotechnology ecosystem in Turkey, Onur Yolay offered a comprehensive overview of the current state, opportunities, and challenges faced by biotech startups in the country. Analyzing the necessary steps for growth and the potential of entrepreneurs in the field, Yolay provided an important perspective on the sector’s future.
He emphasized the high growth potential of biotechnology startups in Turkey while highlighting key challenges such as lack of financial resources, regulatory hurdles, and market access limitations. However, Yolay pointed out that these challenges can be overcome through strong collaborations between public and private sectors, helping startups lay a more solid foundation.
Yolay also highlighted the strengths of the biotechnology sector in Turkey, observing increased innovation emerging from universities and growing contributions from young entrepreneurs. He stressed that opportunities presented by biotechnology in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and the environment hold significant potential for the country’s economic development. Yolay concluded by emphasizing the importance of expanding collaboration and networking opportunities to enhance the visibility of biotechnology startups on both national and international levels.
